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I'm interested to see all the dumping on @SerkanTheWriter for revealing the name of a person of interest in relation to the Brittany Higgins story.
Personally I probably would have argued to reveal the name, I was looking for it and following leads yesterday and today.
Personally I probably would have argued to reveal the name, I was looking for it and following leads yesterday and today.
I didn't have the same name that Serkan revealed, but that in itself is interesting - at least two people were cleaning out their social media feeds etc in the last couple of days. Both had links to Reynolds' office and both were there during the timeframe of the attack.
I have pretty strong views about releasing the name and I certainly don't think there is any legal impediment, as I've explained in previous tweets.
I am confident in this as I have been studying media law and ethics for a very long time. I understand sub judice etc very well.
I am confident in this as I have been studying media law and ethics for a very long time. I understand sub judice etc very well.
The trial, if there's going to be one, is months away (at least) and there is a high level of public interest in this story given it involves a 2-year cover-up most likely managed from the Prime Minister's office.
I think public interest is a very good reason to publish the name.
I think public interest is a very good reason to publish the name.
There's further reasons, apart from exposing the cover up.
1. Several other male staffers in and around this incident have been caught up in the speculation. Naming the suspect clears them.
2. The stress and pressure on all of Reynolds' staff (and others) must be unbearable.
1. Several other male staffers in and around this incident have been caught up in the speculation. Naming the suspect clears them.
2. The stress and pressure on all of Reynolds' staff (and others) must be unbearable.
They have most likely known and had to keep the secret at the behest of their bosses (the ministers) and this itself is reprehensible.
They deserve an opportunity to unburden.
They deserve an opportunity to unburden.
Finally, the vexed question of Ms Higgins' wishes in this matter.
1. She has been traumatised and retraumatised by all of this. I get that. But, we have to be realistic,
2. Is she really the best person to make the call on this?
I am not convinced that she is.
She has suffered
1. She has been traumatised and retraumatised by all of this. I get that. But, we have to be realistic,
2. Is she really the best person to make the call on this?
I am not convinced that she is.
She has suffered
And that includes being gaslighted by Morrison, pressured into not reporting the rape, lied to be people she thought she could trust and had her confidence shaken.
She might have genuine reasons for not wanting the name out there, but that does not mean it is wrong to release it.
She might have genuine reasons for not wanting the name out there, but that does not mean it is wrong to release it.
Rape is a criminal matter and if this had been properly referred to the police, the suspect would have been investigated and, if appropriate, charged.
There is no issue of identfication involved. He's on the security footage, he was seen by people who know him, etc.
There is no issue of identfication involved. He's on the security footage, he was seen by people who know him, etc.
There are only two legal issues that can be disputed:
1. what happened in the office, and
2. if there was a sexual act, was there consent.
I believe Ms Higgins, she was raped. There is only one possible suspect, the man in the video.
It's an open and shut case.
1. what happened in the office, and
2. if there was a sexual act, was there consent.
I believe Ms Higgins, she was raped. There is only one possible suspect, the man in the video.
It's an open and shut case.
I don't think that the people calling out Serkan actually have a full understanding of the legal situation.
They are claiming that the trial will be affected, that the jury might be tainted etc.
Let's be clear, these are the arguments that supporters of George Pell used.
They are claiming that the trial will be affected, that the jury might be tainted etc.
Let's be clear, these are the arguments that supporters of George Pell used.
There is no legal impediment to naming the alleged rapist.
There could be defamation action, but then the plaintiff would basically have to prove they're not the rapist.
No lawyer would advise a client to put themselves in that position unless there was absolutely no doubt
There could be defamation action, but then the plaintiff would basically have to prove they're not the rapist.
No lawyer would advise a client to put themselves in that position unless there was absolutely no doubt
That would mean basically proving you're not the guy on the tape with Ms Higgins and seen leaving the building alone and her raped and assaulted in a minister's office.
That would be very hard to do if you're the guy in the tape.
So that knocks that objection on the head.
That would be very hard to do if you're the guy in the tape.
So that knocks that objection on the head.
So what about the ethics?
Well, in my view there is a huge public interest in this case and in exposing all of the sordid lies and the cover up.
I think naming the alleged rapist is the first step in this.
To do otherwise allows this sordid charade of virtue signalling
Well, in my view there is a huge public interest in this case and in exposing all of the sordid lies and the cover up.
I think naming the alleged rapist is the first step in this.
To do otherwise allows this sordid charade of virtue signalling
Claiming he somehow has a legal right to anonymity while the victim of his crime becomes fodder for asshole trolls.
Worse, the longer his name remains unknown the more chances Morrison and his band of ghouls have to work out a plausible strategy to deflect and shut down the story
Worse, the longer his name remains unknown the more chances Morrison and his band of ghouls have to work out a plausible strategy to deflect and shut down the story
Put the name out there, force Morrison and co to defend this person by name and actions.
Don't let them hide behind some figleaf of due process and privacy.
Expose the whole rotten cabal and let them go down together.
End of rant.
Goodnight.
Don't let them hide behind some figleaf of due process and privacy.
Expose the whole rotten cabal and let them go down together.
End of rant.
Goodnight.
One more.
People attacking Serkan for trying to monetise his scoop.
Grow up!
That’s exactly what the commercial media do.
The media most of the attackers earn a living from.
People attacking Serkan for trying to monetise his scoop.
Grow up!
That’s exactly what the commercial media do.
The media most of the attackers earn a living from.
